Device for obtaining intimate contact with, engaging, or clamping bodies of any shape.



P. K. KUN ZE. DEVICE FOR OBTAINING INTIMATE CONTACT WITH, ENGAGING, 0RGLAMPIN G BODIES OP ANY SHAPE.

APPLIGATIQH FILED MAB. 2.1l 1912. Patented M1222, 1913.

5 BHEETS-BEEET 2.

Egg e accadde age 11.1 tu@ Q P. K. KUNZE. DEVICE FOR OBTAINING INTIMATBCONTACT WlTH, ENGAGING, 0R GLAMPING BODIES 0F ANY SHAPE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1912.

Patented Apr. 22, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

P. K. KUNZE.

DEVIGB FOR OBTAINING INTIMATE CONTACT WITH, ENGAGING, 0R GLAMPING BODIESOP ANY SHAPE.

- AlfPLIoAfpIN FILED MAR. 21, 1912 1,@59545. Patented Apr. 22, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

' P. K. KUNZE.

DEVICE FOR OBTAINING INTIMATE CONTACT WITH, ENGAGING, 0R GLAMPING BODIES0F ANY SHAPE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1912.

1965954@ l Patented Apr.22,1913.'

5 SHEETS*SHBET 5.

PAULIN KARL KUNZ'E, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA-HUNG-AIRY.

DEVICE FOR. OBJTAlNINfG-INTIMATE CONTACT WITH, BNGAG-ING, ORCLAMPING:BODIES .0F MY SHAPE.

i Specification of Letters Paten-t.

APatented Apr. v22, 1913.

kApplication'filed March 21, 1912. Serial No. 685,288.

ent invention rpurposes to effect by means ofrotatable and oscillatablecheeks, an intimate contact, engagement with or clamping of bodies ofany shape, the contact 'being effected at as many points as possible,Whereby owing to the reactions or the automatic adjust-ment to theposition of equilibrium ot' all the cheeks, if the'latter aresymmetrically arranged, the pressure is uniformly ddstribute'd over allpoints of contact, While if thejarrangement is unsymmetrical there is agreater pressure to one side.

According to the present invention the;

cheeks consist of parallel cylindrical segments, which can rotate abouttheir geometrical taxes, and Which are'placed With .their cylindricalsurfaces in pairs side by side in seatings in large cylindrical segmentsand are arranged symmetrically to' the ver' tical middle plane of thelatter. Every pairofsuch larger segments can be arranged 1n this Vmanner1n a still larger segment and so on, the number of these segmentalshells .depending on the intimacy of contact required. In the initialposit-ion all these cheeks are in such a position that their axes lie ina plane at right angles to the plane of symmetry of' the largestsegment, which results in auniform distribution of the pressure at all,points of contact. The cylin- Contact with the surface of the body inone direction, c. g. in the direct-ion of :the prinf cipal a-Xes of thebody, can be supported or' operated by special sets of cheeks, which inLy such 'caseare also formed of groups of plates `and the adaptability ofwhich acts in the for spherical segments may 'bie placed in correspondinseatings in their' respective larger cy in'drcal segments, or .the wholemay consist of spherical segments only.

Such devices as described above may be used in multi-ple modificationsfor many varied purposes, for example clamping frames, (vises, lathechucks) holding devices (limb and head clamps; foot clamps for surgicaland similar instruments), for supporting devices and supports (lunettebearings, supports, chair seats and backs, operating chairs and invalidchairs), for matrices, selfadjusting formers, grinding and polishingdevices, brake blocks, sheet metal straightening machines, bendingmatrices and stamps, contact devices for heavy currents and the like.,

Several constructions of the cheeks, bearings for the same and ofdevicesto Which the invention is applicable are shown by 'Way ot'examplein the accompanying draw- 1n s.

figures l, 2, and .3 show in longitudinal and cross 'section and planrespectively a parallel vise provided with the device com- Iprising thepresent invention.

The device consists in a set of cheeks, the engaging surfaces of whichare formed by parallel cylindrical segments a Which can rotate aboutntheir geometrical axes and which are arranged With their cylindricalsurfaces in pairs side byl side in two seatings in similar but largercylindrical segments b and these s'eatings are symmetrical to thevertical middle plane of these latter segments. The cylindrical segmentsb are similarly arranged in pairs in the segments c and these again in acommon segment d .which vbears with its cylindrical vsurface againstythe seating ota cheek e Which may l-be the fixed or movablejaw of thevise or have any other suitable form.

In the initial position of the set of cheeks, in Which the primarysegments a are situated in a straight line (see left hand side o t Fig.3), the centers of the axes of al l the similar segmental surfaces a, b,c, d lie in a straight line Which is given by the diameter of thelargest segment cl, Which is at right angles to'the axes of symmetry ofthe Whole set.

The contact surfaces of the cheeks, the number of which 'can beincreased ondemore fully described later.

creased as desired, may be either plane, or as shown in the drawing,concave; the engaging parts may also be formed as sharp edges, rollersor spheres.

The separate cylindrical segments can be prevented from being displacedfrom their seatings in various manners, which will be They may also bemade of steel and magnetized, so that they adhere suiiciently to eachother, in

order to be carried along when the vise isr opened.

To prevent the vise-jaws from being lifted the sets of. cheeks, in thearrangement shown in Figs. 1-3, areeachs'ecured by a cover plate fscrewed on to each jaw e; for the same purpose, the cylindrical segmentsmay be provided on their cylindrical part of their periphery withconcentric projecting guides which engage in grooves in the seatings.The working cheeks a may also be arranged unsymmetrlcally on each sideof t-he l axis of the cylindrical segment b, also the segments b may beunsymmetrical in v the segments c and so on, which gives rise to anunequal distribution of thepressure on the;

separate working cheeks a and an increase in the lateral displacement`of the various cheek segmentsor of the whole set of cheeks can beobtained. This arrangement enables objects to be gripped which can onlystand a very slight pressure at certain parts, so

that the pressure at these points does not, exceed a predeterminedlimit, or on the other handby exerting greater ressure at various pointsof an/ object 4t e desired deformation of the same can be obtained. Thesets of cheeks may--if after removing the clamped object it is desiredthat they.:

return to theirinitial position-if necessary be operated bysuitablyarranged springs,

or the separate segments can in special cases', 1f made of non-magnetlcmaterial, be pro'- vided with built-in steel magnets, `or, in'

large constructions, with electromagnets. After inserting any shapedbody between the open jaws of the vise, on closing the. same, thevarious segments rotating vpartially around their axes and -partiallywith their axes around the axes of the next larger segments, adjustthemselves in a position of equilibrium determined by the rofile of'theobjectheld until they are all su jected to an equal resistance at allparts vof the gripped Surface.` In Fig. 4 a very irregular ody A isshown with the cheeksy adjusted against its curved and plane surfaces.

The uniform distribution of the contact pressure over as large an areaas possible of the surface and at as many points of contact as possibleinsures on the one, hand the gripped object against undue local stressand damage to its surface and from deformation of its profile even ifthe applied I'more easily.

pressure is very great; on the otherl hand this uniformdistribution ofpressure enables the object to be. rmly held in the desired positionevenv with only a small applied pressure.

The cheeks l'themselves tend, to fit exactly lto the surface of theobject, so that they are suitable both to clamp and also to support anyshaped bodies.v

In order to return the cheeks to their initial position afterremoving'the object, they can be operated by springs or with magnets.Fig. 6 shows in section a modified construction of the disposition ofthe cheeks. lThe cheeks al are securely held in the cheeks b1 and thesein the cheeks 02 and so on by making the walls of the respectiveseatings surround the cylindrical segments by more than half theircircumference, so that ythe edges 1, 2, 3 serve as retaining parts. Eachcheek profile, 02, da, also'shows a modlfied form in so far that thecylindrical sur- 'face is stepped down at 5, 6, to a smaller radius ofcurvature. If such a segment has to receive similarly` steppeddownsegments, its seatings also receive a`s`tepped down cross section.'This'construction isespecially suitable' for largefsets of cheeks inwhich the height oftheconstruction is limited and saving inweight andeasy movement of the cheeks are required.' The surface pressure 'is in'this case chiefly't'ransmitted by the reduced' cylindrical surface tothe center of the seating, While the sidewalls of the latter serve yonlyas guides.' I Since vsuch cheeks have a ver p small frictional momentop- `posed tot eir Arotation they move 'much yFig'. 6 shows as a furtherexample of the application of I'the presentfinv'ention a lathe chuckfory heavy turningsB, and the like, .wherein the working cheeks'varereplaced by rollers onthe like'a which are; held by the segments b1which: in theirturn'rest in the Y 4segments 0. The latter arejournaledin. a cheek d2 which has a stepped .down cylinstraightening machine, therolls of which can receive very small diameters and must therefore bearranged very close together.

The'rolls a* form in this case the working cheeks of the two sets ofcheeks consisting of thevelements b1, c, (Z` and d2, which are amati earranged in a frame work m. The supporting segment e3 fitting on theupper pressure cheek d2 and guided in the frame work is adjusted by theadjusting gear o, p. The sets of cheeks ca-n either extend a shortdistance beyond the frame work, (for small sheets) or they can extendtransversely between two frames and serve as bearings for the rollers.

Fig. 10 shows a further application of the invention, namely a chairhaving an accommodating seat formed by laths a which are cylindrical ontheir under side and each of which is journaled in a segmental elementb, c, d, e, forming a setof cheeks as above described. Each set isjournaled in a con-' cave guide g.` Between the larger members d, e, ofthe set, also between e and q balls or rollers can be inserted. The backof the chair may also be constructed in a similary manner, and for`lounge or reclining chairs, both the back and the seat mayhave a commonguide segment, so that the back can be brought into the horizontalposition. In f this manner the variousmembers of t-he seat fitting closeto the `body make stutling unj necessary, since the body is supported atnumerous points and in any posi-tion is not'l uncomfortably affected bylocal pressures.

In the above described arrangements the cheeks tit closely andcompletely only in one direction of the surfaces in contact, that is inthe direction of their principal axis. In this case the generating linevof the contactsurface may be either a straight line, a curve or thecombination of both if the contact cheeks conform to the generating linealong their whole length.

By a combination of the automatic cheek sets a complete contact isobtained both in the direction of the principal axis and genv. eratinglines, which distributes vthe pressure to a-larger number of points,which for example, may be necessary when clamping or sup orting limbs.Such combinations have I on t e one hand 'sets of cheeks, each of whichis split up into a number of sets of thini plates which engage thesurface of the body in one direction, namely in the direction of theprincipal axis and further sets of cheeks j of a similar kind whichengage in the direction of the generating lines and support or actuatethe first set of cheeks. Examples of this combination are shown in Figs.11-13, Fig. 11 showing in longitudinal section and side eleva-tion, andthe left half of Fig. 12 in vertical' cross section, one con-Qstruction, Fig. 13 a longitudinal section and side elevation, and theright half of Fig. 12 an end elevation of a second construction.

The similar sets of cheeks formed of thin plates disposed in series4make contact with the body F., each set comprising the cheeks a6, b5,c5, d, and e preferably having tl shaped guiding surfaces. 'lhe workingcheeks a (Figs. 14 and 15) are rounded off at their working surfaces andhave two points of contact. The set of thin plates is incased betweentwo movable cover plates "r1 each of which is partially covered by asegmental' covering plate r2 fixed to the outermost plate and is guidedin arc shaped recesses in the same. The lowest supporting segment e5 hasvertical sides and stepped down 'parts at right angles thereto, and bymeans of a chain s or a band bears against the cheeks ay of lower setscomprising cheeks a, b, c, the contact plane of which is at right anglesto that of the upper set of plates. The plate (or plates) e whichsupports the lower sets of cheeks is fixed in a casing t, which servesas a bearing for the whole set.

The lateral pressure exerted transversely to the plane of contact of thecheeks is taken partially by the profiled guiding surfaces of thesegments, partially by the cover plates r1, r2, an-d is transmitted tothe casing t. T he sets of plates can be arranged in groups at a meaninclination corresponding Vto the curvature of the surface of the objectin order to 'reduce or equalize the lateral pressure and to prevent thesets from deviating 2 from the positions at right angles to thecorresponding part of the surface. The casing then has suitably inwardlyinclined side walls and wedge shaped guides in the acute angled spacebetween two groups.

If the surfaces to be supported or clamped are concave then the walls ofthe casing and the surfaces of the guides 'have the oppositeinclination.

In the construction shown in Figs. 13 and 12 (right half) the separatesets of cheeks are of greater thickness and the Working cheeks consistof spherical segments a8 which have three claw like points on theirengaging surface (Figs. 18 and 19) and are journaled in fours in alarger spherical segment bs. 'Each pair of segments bs is vjournaled ina cylindrical -segment o9 and pairs of these -latter in cylindricalsegments d while these are journaled in a seating e. The segmentalcovering plates r serve to take the lateral pressure.

The cheeks e bear with the Hat surface of their stepped down arts ofdecreased diameter against a set o cheeks at right angles thereto, whichconsists in the cylindrical cheek a4 the cylindrical segment-s b1 and c2and ljournaled together with the piece e3, in the cas-ing t.

A combination of cylindrical segments with spherical segments can alsobe used, with other cheek members; if necessary a set of cheecks canconsist throughout of spherical segments. Also these spherical segmentswith stepped down peripheries, as

with the cylindrical segments, maybe used.

In Figs. 14-20 a few exam les of devices for preventing the removal ofiat or spherical cheeks from their seatings are shown.

In Figs. 14 and 15 this is attained by inclosing the cheeks a6 for morethan half their circumference in their seatings, which prevents alateral displacement, while with the cheeks 67,. c7 the shape of theseatings prevents them both from falling out andfrom 10 lateraldisplacement. In Figs. 16 and 17 this is-effected by pieces u, fv, wwhich are inserted between the sets of thin plates and connected Withthe latter by pins and slots.

These inserted pieces may be segmental orv simply clamps made of sheetiron or wire.

According to Figs. 18, 19, the cheeks ozs provided with the claws 12 areheld by thel spherical segments bs which surround them and act as-theirseatings. The latter can, in 20 certain cases, be secur'ed from rotatingin the segments c ina horizontal direction for which purpose a dovetailgroove 9 is vprovided 1n the segment c9 concentric to its curvature, anda groove 10 is provided in the spherical segment 68. The groove 9 formsa guide for the guide bar 11 which is provided with two intersectingguide surfaces, so that on the one hand -a relative rotation of thesegments 58 in their supports c" can only occur in the directionl givenby the guide 11 and on theother hand owing to the dovet-ail shape of theguides the spherical segments bs arefprevented from coming out' oftheirA seatings.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a self-conforming bearing, a support aplurality of superposed series ofconforming elements in freely movableoperative relation to the support, each seriesde'- 40 creasing in thenumber of elements from the y surface to be engaged to. thesupport.

2. In a self-conforming bearing, a supp'ort, a number of superposedseries of conforming elements in freely lmovable opera-j tive relationto the su port, each series de-` face to be engaged to .the'suppomjaplu-l rality of elementsof one series eing 1n unsymmetrical engagementwith an element ofthe next smaller series.'` v

4. In a self-conforming bearing, a support, a number-of su erposedseriesof elements in freely movab e o erative relation to l the support, eachseries ecreasing in :num-

ber of elements from the surface tobe `en-v gaged to the support, andwhenin normal 3. In a self-conforming bearing, a sup` position havingthe centers of their elements 65 in parallel planes perpendicular to theaxis of the support, a plurality of elements of one series being inunsymmetrical engagement with an element of the next smaller series.l

5. In a self-conforming bearing, a support, a number of superposedseries of elements having cylindrical surfaces and in freely movableoperative relation to said support, each series of elements decreasingin number and the elements of the series increasing in size from thesurface to be engaged to said support. g

6. In a self-conforming bearing, a support, a number of superposedseries of elements having cylindrical surfaces and in` freely movableoperative relation to said support, each series of elements decreasinginnum-v ber and the elements of the series increasing in size from thesurface to be en aged to said support, and the axes of the cy indricalsurfaces of the elements of the several series lying in parallel planeswhen in normal position. d

7. In a self-conforming bearing,a support, a number of superposed seriesyof conforming elements in freely movable operative relationto thesupportand divided into two groups at an angle to one another, thenumber of elements of the several series lof one group decreasing fromvthe surface to be engaged to the second group and number .of element-sof several series of the Vsecond group decreasing from the first groupsupported thereby to the support.' I o j 8,. In a self-conformingbearing. a -su A-. port, a number of superposed series of conformingelements in freely movable opera# tive relation to the support anddivided into Y two groups at an angle to one another, the number ofelements of the several series of one group decreasing from the surfaceto be en aged to the second group and the num- -ber of elements ofseveral 'series of the sec- A ond group decreasing from the first groupsupported thereby to the support and a flexlble element interposedbetween the two groups of series. 9. In a self-conforming bearing, asupport, a number Yof superposed series of conforming elements in freelymovable operative relation to the support and divided into two groups atan angle to one another, the number of elements ofthe several series ofone `group decreasing fromthe surface to be en-' gaged to the secondgroup and the number .of elements of several series of the second groupdecreasing from the first group sup-M ported thereby to the support, thecenters of A the elements of the several series when in; normal positionlying in parallel planes.

. 10. In a self-conforming bearing, a Support, a number ofsuperposedseriesof freely movable conforming members having cylindricalengaging surfaces and divided into two groups vat right angles to oneanother,

the number of'members of the series of one group decreasing from thesurface of an groups at right angles to one another the number ofmembers of thev series of one group decreasing from the surface of anobject to be engaged and increasing in size toward the other group, saidother group similarly varying from the` first group to the support,andthe axes of the several' cylindrical surfaces being mounted to bepositioned in parallel planes. y

12. In a self-conforming bearing, a support, a plurality of superposedseries of freely movable conforming elements in operative relation tothe support, each series decreasing in the number of elements from thesurface to be engaged to the support, and

means to interlock one series of members with the other. v

13.A In a self-conforming bearing, a support, a number of superposedseries of freely movable elements having cylindrical surfaces and inoperative relation to said support, each series of elements decreasingin number and the elements of the series increasing in size from thesurface to be Aengaged to said support, andmeans to 'interlock oneseries of elements 'with the next adlill jacent series and constraintheir rotation in a plane. i

14. In a self-conforming bearing, a support, and groups of superposedseries of freely movable conforming elements, the ends of the lastseries of members of one group being supported at each end by a vsimilargroup of superposed series of conforming elements.

15. In aself-conforming bearing, a suport, a. plurality of superposedseries of reely movable conforming elements decreasing in number fromthe outermost series toward the support, and increasing in size, thenumber of conforming elements in one series being double the number ofelements in an adjacent series.

16. In a self-conforming bearing, a support, a plurality of' superposedseries of freely movable conforming elements in operative relation toone another and to the support, each series decreasing in number, andthe size of the individual elements of the series increasing from theseries having the greatest number of elements to the support, and theelements of some of t-he series having stepped surfaces formingprojections on which they rock, said projections havinga radius ofcurvature less than the radius of the element. p

In testimony whereof I- have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing Witnesses.

PAULIN KARL KUNZE.

Witnesses z,

Josnr RUBASCH, AUGUST FUGGER.

